Cazenovia Central School District Budget Fails; Community to Vote on Revised Proposal

May 20, 2025

The Cazenovia Central School District announced today that its proposed $40,446,980 budget for the 2025-26 school year did not receive the required approval from voters during the annual budget vote held on Tuesday, May 20. With the proposed tax levy exceeding the state-mandated tax cap, 60% voter approval was required for it to pass and only 52% voted in favor of the proposal.

"We respect the community's decision in Tuesday's budget vote," said Superintendent Chris DiFulvio. "While this outcome is not what we hoped for, we are committed to working diligently with the Board of Education to review the results, reassess, and present a revised plan that meets the needs of our students while addressing community concerns. Our priority remains ensuring the continued strength of Cazenovia's educational programs."

Per state regulations, the district now has three options: either present the original budget for a second vote, forgo a budget re-vote, or create a revised proposal to be put before voters. The Board of Education will be meeting to determine the next steps, with a revote scheduled for June 17, 2025.

Should the community vote against the budget a second time, or if the district opts not to hold a revote, the district would be required to operate under a contingency budget. A contingency budget mandates:

• No Tax Levy Increase: The tax levy would see a 0% increase.

• Expenditure Reductions: A mandatory reduction of $1,548,081 from the expenditures budget.

• No Non-Contingent Items: This would eliminate new equipment purchases, bus acquisitions, and potentially impact other items determined by the Board of Education, such as funding for sports, clubs, conferences, certain supplies, and free public use of school facilities.

• Administrative Ratio Maintained: The current Admin-to-Admin and Program Ratio would be retained, with no increase in administrative spending as a proportion of the budget.

• Focus on Essential Services: Spending would be limited to "ordinary contingent expenses," which include teachers’ salaries, educational programs, preserving property, and ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.

In addition, the community elected two Board of Education members. The candidates on the ballot were Judith Hight, Jennifer Parmalee, and Danielle Synborski. The two candidates with the most votes are Judtih Hight and Jennifer Parmalee, and they will each serve three-year terms. 

The school bus proposition passed and the local library proposition passed. 

The Board of Education and district administration urge community members to stay informed as the district evaluates the path forward. Further information regarding the revised budget proposal will be shared promptly.